Baytril- Will it hurt a rat if they don't need it?

[Rattie Kisses]

If you give the right amount of dosage for baytril, will it hurt a rat if they don't need it? I need to know because one of my rats is sniffling and I want to see if I can make it better.

 

[lilspaz68]

It's preferable to not use an antibiotic until you need it, but when you say sniffling, is there a lot of congestion or sneezing and noises?

 

[xxchelle]

Using an antibiotic if it's not needed can increase their resistance to the antibiotic, making it less effective when they really DO need it.

 

[Joanne]

If you use something like Baytril because you think they *might* have a flare up of Myco, then you have to commit yourself to 4-6 weeks of treatment. A short duration will only kill off all the susceptible bacteria, and the strong, resistant ones will survive...then if you need it again, it won't work.

 

[Maple]

If you use something like Baytril because you think they *might* have a flare up of Myco, then you have to commit yourself to 4-6 weeks of treatment.

I have only had one rat on Baytril for life as she had an open urinary sphincter which allowed dirt etc to get in. Other than that I have never heard of treatment for 4-6 weeks! :?

 

[Moon]

If you use something like Baytril because you think they *might* have a flare up of Myco, then you have to commit yourself to 4-6 weeks of treatment.

I have only had one rat on Baytril for life as she had an open urinary sphincter which allowed dirt etc to get in. Other than that I have never heard of treatment for 4-6 weeks! :?

Anything shorter than that does ramp up their resistance and in acute respiratory infections especially, may not completely fix the problem. 3 week treatment at an absolute minimum!!!

 

[Maple]

I guess everyone has different ideas and different ways of practise, if my rat shows no improvement after a couple treatments my vet will change up the meds to say a baytril/doxy mix but never have I been given Baytril for 6 weeks when there has been no sign of improvement.

 

[lilspaz68]

Oh no, if there's no sign of improvement you add meds or switch them up. My rules are if there's no improvement in 4-5 days, I try something new. If there's improvement and they are getting better then I let the course run for 3 weeks. I used to do 2 weeks but I am finding URI's are recurring more. If I have a rat that keeps recurring anyways, then I will do the 6 week course and this often knocks out the stubborn ones.

 

[Moon]

Oh yes, sorry, the long run is to help ward off of infection reoccurring quickly. If it's not working, it's not working and you switch up the plan.

 

[jorats]

I guess everyone has different ideas and different ways of practise, if my rat shows no improvement after a couple treatments my vet will change up the meds to say a baytril/doxy mix but never have I been given Baytril for 6 weeks when there has been no sign of improvement.

My vet told me at her last small animals seminar it was discussed that treatment needs to be up to 3 months because rats are simply getting sick over and over again. A small treatment only weakens the bacteria which at the next stressful event for the rat will overpower yet again.